AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch

HOUSTON--Oct. 3, 20031, 2003--While the price of gasoline remained stable in much of Texas, prices in Corpus Christi dropped substantially compared to last week, according to the Weekend Gas Watch by AAA Texas.

The Texas average for a gallon of regular self-serve gasoline is $1.42 -- a penny less than last week's average, and only a penny more than last year's average. Corpus Christi remains the cheapest for the eighth straight week, averaging $1.27 a gallon -- motorists there saw their pump prices fall by more than nine cents in a week. Dallas has the most expensive gasoline in the survey with regular gas averaging $1.43 a gallon, down about a penny from a week ago.

"This week's survey shows prices in Corpus Christi fell nearly a dime in only a week," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "Corpus Christi's average of $1.27, is about 16 cents less than Dallas's average of $1.43. There is not any clear explanation as to why Corpus Christi fell to such a degree -- and the other cities did not. However, with gasoline inventories full, prices are expected to remain at or below their current averages, with Corpus Christi's average being the exception."

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at popular destinations for automobile trips.

Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., Oct. 31, 2003:

Area                    Regular         Change          Record Price
----                    -------         ------          ------------
Austin-San Marcos       $1.385        -1.1 cents      $1.580 (3/19/03)

Corpus Christi          $1.266        -9.2 cents      $1.590 (2/20/03)

Dallas                  $1.431        -1.3 cents      $1.666 (5/12/01)

Fort Worth              $1.419        -1.0 cent       $1.660 (5/22/01)

Houston                 $1.406        -1.0 cent       $1.639 (5/12/01)

San Antonio             $1.358        -1.4 cents      $1.582 (3/18/03)